Filed under: Motorsports , Videos , Toyota , Racing Akio Toyoda announces that Toyota will return to the World Rally Championship in 2017 with a Yaris prepped by Toyota Motorsport. It will be a new start for the rally legend manufacturer after an 18-year absence. Continue reading Akio Toyoda pledges return to WRC in 2017 with a Yaris Akio Toyoda pledges return to WRC in 2017 with a Yaris originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jan 2015 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs , Japan , Toyota Toyota has had number of chiefs over its 76-year history, but none ever served as long as Eiji Toyoda. The younger cousin of the company’s founder served as president of the automaker from 1967 to 1982 and as chairman of the Toyota Motor Corporation for another ten years following the unification of the manufacturing and sales divisions. During his 25 years at the helm, Eiji Toyoda (pictured above in 1967) was credited with establishing the company’s headquarters in Toyota City, spearheading the development of the Prius , expanding production overseas for the first time, launching the Lexus brand and turning Toyota from a minor player into one of the largest automakers in the world. Even after his retirement in 1992, he remained an honorary chairman and close advisor to his successors, and chaired the company’s museum. He died of heart failure, ending a 100-year life that started on September 12, 1913, before the company that bore his family’s name (albeit slightly modified) had even started building automatic looms, let alone automobiles. We extend our condolences to the Toyoda family and our congratulations on an accomplished life. Eiji Toyoda dead at 100 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Motorsports , Videos , Toyota , Racing When Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda wanted to give his company’s 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Camry a shakedown run, Kyle Busch was chosen to ride shotgun. Even though Busch has won 85 races driving Toyotas in three NASCAR series, it was Toyoda who took the driver’s seat for a spin around Daytona International Speedway. The redesigned Camry stocker is expected to be submitted for approval this summer, and you can watch Akio Toyoda put it through its paces in the video below . Continue reading Watch Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda drive the new NASCAR Camry Watch Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda drive the new NASCAR Camry originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 May 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Etc. , Honda , Mazda , Mitsubishi , Nissan , Toyota During a meeting of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Toyota president Akio Toyoda offered a ” Chapeau! ” to his fellow CEOs by listing his favorite cars from other makers. He listed just one vehicle from five makers represented on the board, in alphabetical order: the Honda NSX , Isuzu Bellett, Mazda Cosmo, Mitsubishi Pajero (our Montero ) and Nissan Skyline. Toyoda didn’t give his reasons for choosing these car beyond each being “memorable.” Even so, going through the list any car enthusiast knows the Honda ( Acura in the States) NSX needs no introduction nor explanation. The Mitsubishi Pajero is probably as well known for it’s off-road excellence as it is for its name change in Spanish-speaking lands due to the word “pajero” – all the more intriguing when it’s apparently named after an Argentine cat, Leopardus pajeros . And although the “Skyline” moniker was made famous overseas by the GT-R , the Nissan Skyline that Toyoda references has a long history and is our Infiniti G . The Mazda Cosmo (pictured) was an Italian-esque little coupe produced from 1967 to 1995, the first series production vehicle with a two-rotor rotary engine. The Isuzu Bellett was that firm’s in-house replacement for the English Hillmans it was rebranding, the first Japanese car to get GT badging (it would also get a GT-R version), and it would cover just about every segment with sedan, coupe, station wagon and pickup truck variants. Toyota CEO lists favorite cars from other automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2012 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .

Filed under: Sedan , Videos , Toyota Akio Toyoda teases the 2012 Toyota Camry – Click above to watch video after the jump Toyota is excited to brings its redesigned 2012 Camry into the world. These type of vehicle launches take time though, and for the moment, Toyota can only show off so much of its new mid-size sedan. Akio Toyoda is the president of the company, so he can decide to reveal a little bit if he chooses. He’s taken to YouTube to provide glimpse of the new car, which he describes as the best Camry ever The 2012 Toyota Camry is slated to arrive this fall. You can listen to Toyoda talk it up and catch a partial glimpse of it in the clip posted after the jump . Continue reading 2012 Toyota Camry teased by Akio Toyoda 2012 Toyota Camry teased by Akio Toyoda originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink